The Thin Blue Line #BlueLivesMatter

Research In Motion is planning a next-generation version of its touchscreen BlackBerry Storm smartphone as part of a continuing push into the retail market, its co-CEO said on Monday.

Success of individual handsets is crucial to RIM, especially as it pushes deeper into the retail market, where consumer tastes can be fickle. The potential market is huge. After all, every mobile phone user can theoretically be turned into a smartphone user. Retail is also a good way for RIM to diversify its user base.

The latest data shows RIM is doing well: market research firm NPD Group reported on Monday that the company's BlackBerry Curve moved past the iPhone to become the best-selling consumer smartphone in the U.S. in the first quarter.